T42 Fingerprint reader (again!)

[sktn77a]

I just had a cracked palmrest replacement delivered for my son's 15" T42. It was supposed to be the one without the fingerprint reader but they sent the one with the fingerprint reader. I know this won't work if the motherboard doesn't have the appropriate chip and I'm pretty sure my original motherboard (2004, just after the T42 was first released) did not have the chip. But the motherboard was replaced in August 2007, so there's a chance the replacement motherboard has the chip. Does anybody know if the BIOS will show this option if the palmrest does not have the fingerprint reader or does the fingerprint reader-equipped palmrest have to be installed before this option shows up in the BIOS list? Unfortunately, I can't just go into the BIOS and look - my son has the computer at college and he's too retarded to get into the BIOS and tell me! He'll need to bring it home to have the palmrest installed and I would prefer to know if this will work before I plan the necessary drive cage surgery, installation, etc.

Thanks

[Harryc]

Most of the information you are looking for is in this thread.. I believe the biometric chip would show up in BIOS without the reader being hooked up, but am not 100% positive.

... my son has the computer at college and he's too retarded to get into the BIOS

This made me laugh out loud. My son must go to the same college .

[sktn77a]

Thanks Harry: Yes, I did read that thread and it did say that the fingerprint reader would show up in the BIOS if it was supported (after the palmrest was installed).

Glad to hear it's not just my son......................

[Johan]

Keith:

I don't know if the BIOS looks differently for a fingerprint-equipped T42 compared to a non-fingerprint-equipped T42, but what I do know about my own (belowed!) fingerprint-equipped T42p is this: If I go to Start --> All Programs --> ThinkVantage and run the "ThinkPad-configuration" program and there, under the "System Information"-tab choose "Information", the System-unit serialnumber will be displayed (under the point BIOS) - and that must be the serialnumber in/off the mobo, I guess? In this way you can check which mobo S/N is currently in the T42 - I believe... Then, if you go to the Parts Lookup site then this will tell you what mobo (FRU) is in the T42... and then Google or check the HMM (or, best, search this forum!) to see if this mobo support a fingerprint reader, or not.

Optionally, you can (no doubt, easily!) guide your son through the "look inside the BIOS"; tell him to press F1 upon power-up, and then tell him to look under the "Security" section... see yourself how to get into that by checking how the BIOS looks in a finger-print-equipped T42 --> BIOS simulator - ThinkPad T42/p with fingerprint reader (--> Security --> Fingerprint). NB: You have to use the mouse in the simulator; pressing F1, F3, Esc won't work... use the mouse to "press" them in the simulator.

Johan

[sktn77a]

Thanks Johan: I was able to get my daughter to get into the BIOS of her fingerprint reader-equipped T42 and under BIOS>Security> there is a Fingerprint Reader entry. That is missing from non-fingerprint reader-quipped T41. But I like your idea of checking the parts lookup with the motherboard serial number (I just hope the system recognizes the number as it was a warranty replacement motherboard). The only thing that's original in the computer is the top of the display and the bottom of the case (amd maybe the modem and wifi card)!

[richk]

The motherboard part number and FRU are visible if you remove the rear memory cover. If you post that number here, someone can tell you if you have the biometric coprocessor.